Simon Nemec Traded to Flames, Devils Get NHL Draft Picks, More in Return

The New Jersey Devils traded defenseman Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, the team announced.

The deal also sends forward Maxim Tsyplakov to Calgary for defenseman Etienne Morin and draft compensation that includes conditional first-round selections from the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche. Those two picks are top-10 protected, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The Devils have a new general manager (Sunny Mehta) in place and limited salary cap space ($13.2 million). Those two factors were a recipe for the organization to trade a player it selected second overall just four years ago.

Mehta didn't feel as personally invested in Nemec as his predecessor did, and he clearly balked at paying what it would take to re-sign the restricted free agent.

The Flames don't yet have an extension arranged with Nemec, but he's clearly somebody they're looking to keep in the fold.

From New Jersey's perspective, the 22-year-old simply hasn't panned out. He has 49 points through 155 appearances.

Moving forward, making a breakthrough was going to be tough when the Devils are so settled at the blue line. Luke Hughes has also played better and has a contract that cements his status as a long-term building block.

Flipping Nemec for two first-rounders, even ones likely to be in the latter stages, isn't a bad piece of business.

Of course, there's the possibility he begins fulfilling his potential in a larger role with Calgary. ESPN's Rachel Kryshak identified Nemec as a player who'd greatly benefit from a change of scenery this summer.

"Nemec has shown he is good in transition and capable of driving offense when given the opportunity," she wrote. "If an acquiring team gives him top power-play minutes, it is likely Nemec would flourish in a top-four role."

Nemec could wind up justifying the cost of the deal, both in terms of the trade and his next contract, for the Flames. However, nobody will be too shocked if a few years down the road this proves to be a regrettable move in both respects.